The meetings of community members with Watercare appear to be progressing well and generate hope that this is a new and effective direction for community consultation. Sewage is a controversial issue which has generated concerns for residents in the Whangateau harbour catchment for some years and it is very encouraging to feel these concerns are at last being listened to.

We put in a submission (see Sewage Entering Harbour) opposing the pumping of sewage from Matakana to our harbour. The Commissioners acknowledged the issue and declined all submissions which would have resulted in intensification in the village and would have pushed sewage beyond the limit of 2000 people imposed by Watercare.

The specific provision of the plan change/modification that my submission relates to:
Any reference to disposal of sewage

We: Oppose

The reason for our views is:
We do not want disposal of sewage from Matakana into our fragile harbour catchment (Whangateau) as there is no adequate research showing this is environmentally safe especially if Matakana continues to develop.
It is already clear that the receiving environment cannot cope with existing effluent.

We seek the following decision from the council:
If the plan change/modification is not declined, then amend it as outlined below
Proposed amendments:
Return all treated sewage from Omaha to the Matakana catchment

An upgraded wastewater system is being installed in Matakana which pipes it all into the Whangateau Harbour catchment - Ian Macdonald